Religion and Parish News

Prayer

Holy God, source of all goodness, you show us in Mary MacKillop a woman of faith who lived by the power of the cross.

Teach us to embrace what she pioneered: new ways of living the gospel that respect and defend the human dignity of all in our land.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Feast of St Mary MacKillop

The Feast of St Mary of the Cross is important to us because St Mary MacKillop was the first, and is still the only, Australian person to be canonised. St Mary MacKillop’s work revolved around helping disadvantaged Australians.

When we talk of St Mary of the Cross, we’re talking about Mary MacKillop. She was 24 when she adopted the name Sister Mary of the Cross.

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne in 1842. She was a nun who, along with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and a number of schools and welfare institutions throughout Australasia with an emphasis on education for the poor, particularly in country areas.

St Mary of the Cross led a very busy life. She played a huge role in opening schools across South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and even in New Zealand!

St Mary of the Cross died in the Josephite Convent in North Sydney on August 8th, 1909. Following two miracles being attributed to her intercession, she was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on October 17, 2010, making her Australia’s first saint.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday 15th August

Combined school Mass with St Mary’s College

9:15am - St Xavier’s Hall - families and parishioners welcome

Catholic Core Principles and Values:

The Primacy of God -Love of God

All people are called to love God and love of neighbour.

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind”

God chose Mary to be the mother of his son, Jesus. Mary was always ready and willing to do whatever God wanted. Because she was so special she was taken up body and soul to be with Jesus in Heaven – this is what 'Assumption' means.

Mary was very special to God. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, His Son. She always said "yes" to God and loved Him with all her heart. Because she was so special and pure, God had a wonderful plan for her.
She didn't stay on Earth like everyone else. When Mary's life on Earth was finished, something unique happened. Usually, when people die, their bodies stay on Earth, and their souls go to heaven. But because Mary was so special and never sinned, God had a different plan for her body.
God took her, body and soul, to Heaven! Instead of her body staying on Earth, God took Mary's whole self—her body and her soul—straight up to heaven! It's like God reached down and gently lifted her up, whole and complete, into His glorious home. This is what we call the "Assumption".
Why is this important?
- It's a special gift from God: It was a unique privilege for Mary because she was so perfectly united with Jesus, her Son.
- She's already in heaven, body and soul: While we all hope to go to heaven one day, our bodies will only join our souls at the end of time when Jesus comes again. But Mary is already there, body and soul, shining brightly with God.
- She's our Queen in Heaven: Because she's with Jesus, who is the King of Heaven, Mary is honored as the Queen of Heaven. She's still our loving Mother and prays for us from heaven.
- It shows us what's possible: Mary's Assumption gives us hope! It shows us that one day, if we love God and follow Jesus, we too can be with God in heaven, and our bodies will also be glorified.

The Assumption is a wonderful story about how God loved Mary so much that He brought her whole self—body and soul—to live with Him in heaven, and she is now our Queen and Mother, praying for us!

Hail, Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.